Darren Bent thinks Arsenal really should’ve signed Premier League ‘powerhouse’ for £50m this summer

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Arsenal should be fairly happy with their business in the summer transfer window.

The Gunners started July off by turning David Raya’s loan into a permanent deal. Then, they signed Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino from Bologna and Real Sociedad respectively.

To add to that, on deadline day, Arsenal signed Raheem Sterling and Neto on season-long loan deals to wrap up what was a good window.

Darren Bent, however, feels Arsenal should’ve signed one more player.

Darren Bent says he wanted Arsenal to sign Amadou Onana

Arsenal were on the market for a new midfielder this summer.

The Gunners released Mohamed Elneny, loaned out Albert Sambi Lokonga and sold Emile Smith Rowe. That limited their options in the middle of the park and forced them to strengthen.

Mikel Arteta’s side were linked with plenty of names over the summer, but Merino became the top target. After lengthy talks with Real Sociedad, a deal was struck and he was brought in.

However, before Merino came into the picture, Arsenal were heavily linked with a move to sign Amadou Onana from Everton.

But, ex-Gunners boss Unai Emery sealed the deal to sign him for Aston Villa in a deal worth £50 million (Sky Sports).

Onana has had a tremendous start to life at Villa Park, so much so that Bent has named him as the best signing of the summer transfer window.

The pundit then claimed that he really wanted Arsenal to sign Onana when it became clear that Everton were ready to sell him.

He said on talkSPORT (3rd September 2024, 5:45 pm): “Best one, it is a lot of money, but I really like what they have done there. They lost a really key player in Douglas Luiz and they brought in Onana.

“Oh! I wanted Arsenal to sign him. He is a powerhouse, by the way. Two goals in his first three games as well. I think he has been a great signing.”

Arsenal likely to have a problem in 2025 that Onana could solve

Arsenal have a fantastic midfield when everyone is fit, and the players they have now are capable of leading them to the Premier League title.

However, in 2025, the Gunners are likely to be back on the market for a new midfielder.

That’s because Thomas Partey’s Arsenal contract expires next summer. The Ghana international is expected to leave the club then, and the North Londoners will have to replace him.

Onana would be a brilliant option for that role, but we just can’t see a world in which Aston Villa will let him go after just one season.

It will be interesting to see who else Arsenal will target to replace Partey in 2025.